Ken Harvey wrote:
These drivers will only be moderated by an innovative health fund who
takes on the more aggressive role of health broker (with the support of
their members) as distinct from being a passive health payer. A fund
acting as a health broker would use its market power to purchase
cost-effective services for members at the most competitive price taking
into account quality and safety considerations. It would encourage
members to utilise more cost-effective services, perhaps by reducing the
front-end deductible or co-payment for such services. It would actively
assist members to maintain a healthy lifestyle, address their health
risks and better manage chronic disease knowing that investments in
these areas will reduce hospital utilisation and health costs in the
longer term.
***
Ken, the above seems to describe much of what our government is doing
now through the Medicare benefits and payments system. It is acting as
a "health broker with the support of (its) members". (For members, read
citizens). The government is using "its market power to purchase
cost-effective services for members at the most competitive price taking
into account quality and safety considerations". The government is
"encourag(ing) members to utilise more cost-effective services, perhaps
by reducing the front-end deductible or co-payment for such services."
General practice may be the most cost-effective service, and there is
currently no co-payment billed for 75% of GP services and small
co-payments for the remaining 25%. With the current chronic disease
items and the forthcoming preventive care items for the Medicare
Benefits Schedule, the government will be seen to "actively assist
members to maintain a healthy lifestyle, address their health risks and
better manage chronic disease knowing that investments in these areas
will reduce hospital utilisation and health costs in the
longer term."
Ne'cest pas?
--
Oliver Frank, general practitioner
255 North East Road, Hampstead Gardens, South Australia 5086
Phone 08 8261 1355 Fax 08 8266 5149 Mobile 0407 181 683
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